Pope Francis warned Sunday that escalating U.S.-Israel airstrikes on Iran risk plunging the Middle East into an "irreparable abyss," urging leaders to halt the dangerous spiral of violence.
Speaking at the Angelus, the pontiff expressed "deep concern" over recent developments, calling for nations to choose dialogue over war. "Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons... but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue," he stated.
The pope's warning comes after Israel and the U.S. launched a joint military operation against Iran, reportedly killing senior leaders including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian airstrikes subsequently killed at least eight Israelis.
Pope Francis reinforced his plea on X, stating, "Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions, I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss!"
He concluded by urging that "diplomacy regain its proper role, and may the well-being of peoples, who yearn for peaceful existence founded on justice, be upheld."